Learn how to make a simple crochet basket using the cotton yarn in your stash with this free pattern and step-by-step tutorial. You can view the pattern completely free on this page, or you can buy the ad-free, printable PDF from our shop. UPDATED: APRIL 19, 2024 BY BRITTANYThis post may contain affiliate links. JUMP TO PATTERN SAVE TO PINTEREST Skill Level | EasyAvailable Sizes | Small & Medium I love having a pretty crochet basket in every room of my house. Not only do they help me stay organized, but they also add little bits of handmade charm to my decor. This is one of my favorite crochet basket patterns because they're super quick to crochet. You can have both sizes finished in a matter of hours! And you…
As you learn more about crochet or knitting, it becomes important to know about yarn weights. This is helpful when you follow a pattern and need to use a different yarn or when you want to make your own simple blanket. Understanding a bit about the yarn weight you're using is crucial for success. Yarn weight might seem confusing because of numbers and various names that all mean the same thing. This article is here to answer the most common questions about yarn weight and help you grasp the concept better. UPDATED: DECEMBER 18, 2023 BY BRITTANYThis post may contain affiliate links. In the following sections, we'll look at the most common questions about yarn weights and what they mean for your projects. Here's a quick overview of the topics…
When you start exploring the world of designing crochet patterns, whether it's for a hobby or a more serious endeavor, understanding how much yarn you've used is a fundamental skill to develop. In this article, I'll walk you through the steps to figure out how much yarn you have in your design and share some valuable tips I've picked up during my ten years of pattern designing. UPDATED: SEPTEMBER 28, 2023 BY BRITTANYThis post may contain affiliate links. When you want to share a pattern you've made with others, in casual situations, it might be fine to just mention how many skeins you used. However, if you're aiming for a more professional approach, like distributing or selling your patterns, it's essential to provide more detailed information. Here is a quick…
There are many reasons to need a yarn substitution in a pattern. Maybe the recommended yarn is no longer available, you're allergic to its fiber contents or you just want to use a yarn you already have. You can substitute yarn... but not all yarns will work equally. This guide will help you determine the best yarn substitution (when the need arises) in six easy steps. UPDATED: SEPTEMBER 8, 2023 BY BRITTANYThis post may contain affiliate links. Learn how to substitute yarn and use a different yarn than your pattern calls for. This guide was designed to help you determine the best possible yarn substitute for the pattern you have your eye on no matter the reason you want to substitute. We'll look at how things like yarn weight, color,…
No matter what size you need or which yarn you have, we have you covered with this one. Skill Level | Easy Available Sizes | Preemie, 0-3 mos, 3-6 mos, 6-12 mos, Toddler, Child, Teen, Women's & Men's Buy the PDF Pattern About this Pattern If you're looking for a basic knit hat pattern that'll work for just about any yarn in your stash in just about any size you can think of, you're in the right place. Our everyday knit hat for lightweight and medium-weight yarn is a perfectly simple pattern that's easy and quick to knit. With this pattern, you'll get to practice three basic components of knit hats: a simple rib band, stockinette sides, and basic crown decreasing for a perfect fit. You don't have to be…
Do you have trouble finding yarn where you live? If craft stores and yarn shops are few and far between it can really limit your creativity and motivation to start new crochet or knitting projects. You're certainly not alone. Special Guest In this episode of The BHooked Podcast, you'll hear from Caitie Moore, a talented designer and crochet addict located in Cape Town, South Africa where yarn resources are a bit limited. In order to grow in her craft and pursue her passion as a designer, Caitie had to be resourceful to create patterns and projects she loved. She shares tips for sourcing and finding yarn as well as yarn substitution tips she picked up over the years. We chat about ordering online as well as some clever projects for…
Are you curious about yarn dying and how it can take your projects to the next level? Try it! In this episode you'll hear from Ashley, the talented dyer and maker behind Montana Crochet. Her passion for dying yarn really shines as she shares some tips for getting started and for achieving some really great-looking coloration. Special Guest Ashley is also very passionate about her maker business and the community as a whole. We wrap up this episode chatting a bit about where you can find inspiration for dying experiments and tips for standing out. Ashley Schneider Ashley, an avid crocheter for 26 years is now living her dreams of hand-dying yarn for a living. With her hand-dyed yarn, she designs gorgeous Montana-inspired patterns for the crochet community. Website |…
Have you ever substituted yarn in a pattern and it didn't turn out quite right? Either the size was off or the finished project didn't look the same. Can I get a yes?! I had to learn the hard way that you can't use whatever yarn you want with the same hook or needle size and have it turn out right. But that's not to say yarn substitution isn't possible! In this episode of The BHooked Podcast, you'll learn how to avoid the frustration that comes from substituting yarn and finishing a project you're not happy with. I'll share my best practices for making a yarn substitution so you can be a little more confident the next time you can't find the specific yarn a pattern calls for. Mentioned in…
Confused about what fiber to use for your project? You could learn the hard way or you can listen to this episode of the yarn mini-series for a place to start! Truth is, selecting the "right" fiber for your project involves a little knowledge and personal preference. I reached out to my Instagram community to learn exactly what you want to know about choosing fiber for your projects and they guided the conversation! In this out-of-the-norm episode, I answered as many of your questions as possible about making the right fiber choice, and to be honest, I had a lot of fun doing it! Mentioned in this Episode #13 Picking the Right Yarn for Your Project | The BHooked Podcast #80 Make Better Fall Projects by Using the Right Yarn…
Are you hesitant to order yarn online because you need to see and feel it first? I'll be honest, I love the "thrill of the hunt" - going to a store like Joann's or Michael's not knowing what I'm going to find. You just can't get the same tactile experience when ordering yarn online. But sometimes it's something we have to do. Have you ever ordered yarn online and it wasn't the right color? Or even worse, the texture wasn't what you expected? You're not alone here. I lost track in the double digits! There are so many variables potentially working against us when we order yarn online. Today I'll share five tips for the next time you order yarn online so you're hopefully less disappointed or surprised when your…
Is your yarn stash out of control? Don't worry, it happens to the best of us! I usually need to sort through and organize my yarn stash at least once a year. Admittedly, this isn't something I love scheduling time for but it does save me time in the long run! Here's the deal - organizing your yarn stash can do four things for you. First, it will save you money because you won't buy yarn you already have (that you forgot about). Second, it will save you time when looking for the right yarn for your project (because you'll know exactly where to look). Third, it will get you excited about the yarn you have (just like when you bought it the first time) and lastly, it will reignite…
Are you trying to balance your full-time job and your side hustle business? This is no easy task. Finding a balance usually involves is a ton of trial and error, lots of help from your friends and family and a little inspiration from others trying to balance it all too. Today I'm joined by, Melissa, side hustle maker behind the website and Instagram, Woods and Wool. Melissa has a full time job that she loves and chooses to balance that with her passion project and side hustle. Special Guest In this episode of The BHooked Podcast, you'll hear some of the strategies Melissa uses to juggle these areas of her life while still maintaining happiness as well as a few stories I'm sure you'll relate to as someone working full…
Ever wonder how to dye yarn? My first experience dying yarn wasn't exactly a success but through that experience, I learned that there are crucial steps to the process. Dying yarn can be a great Sunday-Funday project if your hands need a break from your current WIP. Who knows, it may even become a new hobby for you! Special Guest I'm thrilled to chat with Ali of Explorer Knits this week on the podcast! It's certainly a conversation I wish I had (or heard) before I tried dying my first hank of yarn. You'll hear about that interesting experience too! Ali runs through it all from what yarns to experiment with first, the different dyes and which you should use as a beginner and then she walks us through the…
Ever wanted to explore more ways to use yarn? I think we all do once we get to a certain point with our craft. Whether you knit, crochet, or both, at some point you'll probably want to expand your creativity and find more ways to craft with yarn. Perhaps it's the learner in me but I'm always looking for a fun new way to use yarn. I'm not necessarily looking to become a master, but just give it a try; experiment and see what I like! I've made it a personal goal to try everything my guest and I chat about on today's episode at least once! Want to join me in that challenge? Special Guest I'm joined today by return guest Jenny Bessonette. As the Executive Director of the…
Do you struggle with choosing the right yarn for your fall projects? You're not alone! Honestly, it wasn't until I started learning the hard way that particular yarns were more appropriate for some projects than others. If you've ever had a saggy sweater or fuzzy pair of mitts, you may have found a yarn that isn't right for that project. Rather than learn the hard way, let's take an educated approach to choosing the right yarn for our fall projects. That way we can save ourselves time, effort, and money! Special Guests I'm joined by Kersti and Taiu from Koigu Yarns, a family-owned business for three generations. They start off sharing the story of the family business and then we dive into common fall projects and the yarns that are…
What is yarn bombing? Have you ever heard of the term yarn bombing before? If you haven't, I have a feeling we're going to open up a whole new world to you, my guest, and I. Yarn bombing is the act of wrapping an object in yarn to give it a new life or color. You'll most often find yarn bombing in public places, where it can be admired. Now you may wonder, is yarn bombing illegal? Or is yarn bombing harmful? These questions and more are answered right here in this episode. Special Guest I'm joined by, London Kaye, a street artist based in Brooklyn who has been leaving a real mark in the industry. She has been featured in the New York Times and has worked with some…
Have you ever considered yarn as an artistic medium? For many of us, the yarn will guide the project, meaning only after we see and feel the yarn do we know what to make with it. For some though, the entire concept revolves around a yarn base (a blend of fibers) that inspires color, texture, and eventually a project. This is the approach taken by the team at KnitCrate when they plan for their monthly subscription boxes. Special Guests I'm joined by, Rob and Hannah, from KnitCrate, and let me just say - I learned so much from them! Rob is incredibly passionate about business and he speaks about how business is his artistic medium. Extremely interesting for a passionate entrepreneur! Hannah, tells us all a bit about fashion forecasting…
Have you ever wondered how wool is processed to make yarn? You're not alone! The process of turning wool into yarn is pretty incredible and it's even something you can do yourself! This week marks the beginning of yarn appreciation month and what better way to appreciate yarn than to follow the process of cleaning, spinning, and dying? I have just the perfect person to share this journey with you. Special Guest I'm joined by, Bren, the creative entrepreneur behind, Snerb Yarn. If you have seen her photos on Instagram, no doubt one word comes to mind - talented! Bren taught me so much and I can't wait for you to hear from her! Bren Boone Bren's passion is spinning yarn and entrepreneurship and she blends the two harmoniously with…
If you plan to publish or share your designs, this is a must-know skill. A great request came in the other day that inspired this podcast episode. She wrote: "Brittany, how do you calculate the amount of yarn that is in your project? I would love to know how much yarn I used so I can use this info later." This is such a great question. It's especially useful for designers but can also be helpful to know for hobby crocheters. To figure out how much yarn I used in a project, I've been using a self-developed system (of several years and now) that's tested and never lets me down so I feel comfortable with its accuracy and to share it with the world. So in this episode, I'll run…
Tassels can add flair to all sorts of things like hats, scarves, bags, shawls, and more. And the best part? They're a fantastic way to make the most of your leftover yarn scraps. If you're wondering how to make a yarn tassel, you've come to the perfect spot. In this article, I'll show you two super simple methods to create yarn tassels, and you'll be able to whip them up in just minutes. First things first, there are two ways to make a yarn tassel: by hand, and with a tassel maker. In either case, you need a "frame" to hold the tassel while you make it. When making a yarn tassel by hand, this "frame" can be anything you have lying around with the right dimensions (more on that…
